Protesters at Sensata Technologies blocked the path of trucks leaving the plant Monday resulting in three arrests.

“They (protesters) went over and blocked the truck,” said Sensata employee Tom Gaulrapp. “It kept moving forward nudging people. The police came and told people to get out of the road.”

The three protesters that refused to move out of the way of the trucks were arrested for failure to comply with a police order. Their bond information was unavailable.

“We were trying to stop the movement of the machines,” said 16-year-old Karri Penniston, who was one of those arrested. “The more we stand up, the more people are going to notice. People think that we’re out here just because we know someone who works there. This affects everyone. I’m getting what I want out of this. I’m getting my point proven.”

Penniston said she knew she was going to be arrested once a police officer told her “young lady, please stand up.” The trucks being blocked were removing machines from the factory in anticipation of its closure at the end of the year.

“I did it because my mom couldn’t do it herself, she’s in the factory working,” said Penniston. “It’s for a good cause. I think it’s the only time she’ll be okay with it (being arrested).”

Penniston, whose mother Joanne works at the Sensata plant, believes that it is important for the community to remain involved.

“I think a lot of people are scared because of the consequences,” said Penniston. “But I believe that this is important.”

Sensata, which is owned by Bain Capital, develops, manufactures and sells sensors and controls for auto manufacturers. Workers at the Sensata plant have called on politicians to intervene and save the 170 jobs that are being lost.

“The police were very nice,” said Debi Kempel, a supporter from Pearl City who was also arrested during the incident. “The cops asked us to peacefully move and we said ‘no.’ We were handcuffed, taken to the station and finger printed.”

Kempel said that those arrested have future court dates because of the incident.

“We will be here as long as we have to be, but it has to be a community effort,” said Kempel. “This is going to affect everyone. It can be done; we just have to stick to our guns.”

Both Penniston and Kempel say that they are willing to be arrested again for their cause.

The third person arrested was Jerry Ontjes, according to Bainport.com.

Julian Bond

Monday’s arrests follow a weekend in which the “Bainport” camp was visited by former chairman of the NAACP Julian Bond.

Page 2 of 2 - “When you look around Bainport today, I can see you’re making your voices heard,” Bond said to the crowd Saturday. “The workers need to stick with it, keep at it, keep fighting, and they will win.”

Sensata Documentary

Filmmaker Alder Lakish from New York City has also been staying in “Bainport” during the protests working on a documentary called “Behind Your Back,” which he says will chronicle the plight of the Sensata workers.

“It’s a human interest story following the lives of these people,” said Lakish.